Montreal Canadiens News and Notes:
- Is Greg Pateryn the latest victim of Montreal’s defensive depth? The young defenseman has only suited up for eleven games this season, but is still patiently waiting for his next opportunity. [LaPresse]
- What can the Montreal Canadiens do to improve their playoff odds and does it involve rethinking how they manage their young players? [TSN 690 | Dreger | Godin | Lemay]
- Carey Price is still expected to represent Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey. [Sportsnet]
- Congratulations to Frolunda Gothenburg for winning the Champions Hockey League! Canadiens’ prospect Artturi Lehkonen’s team narrowly edged out Karpat Oulu in a tough final match, to capture the championship. [CHL]
- While the team’s chances of making the playoffs do remain slim, Ben Scrivens and P.K. Subban seem determined to push the team into the postseason. [Svenska Fans]
- It looks like the Montreal Canadiens are going to take part in another outdoor game against an ancient rival. [Pension Plan Puppets]
Around The League and Elsewhere:
- The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators pulled off a blockbuster trade that saw Dion Phaneuf and nine other players exchanged. [Pension Plan Puppets | Silver Seven Sens]
- What’s in the water in Luzerne County? The county has produced not one, not two but five of the NHL’s current head coaches (including the Canadiens’ own Michel Therrien)! [Post-Gazette]
- Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts reveal that the Buffalo Sabres weren’t too impressed with Montreal’s defensive schemes. [Sportsnet]
Buffalo players made it clear they were confident in their ability to get to the net and pressure the Canadiens’ defence as necessary. (It should be noted they put P.K. Subban in a different category, saying his only issue was “trying to do too much.”) Montreal also did a nice job with Connor McDavid, who takes half of his shots from in tight and doesn’t miss the net often. He did not have a shot on goal from the slot that game.One Sabre on Carey Price: “You guys should give him the MVP again.”
- Playing in the AHL is serving Peter Budaj well. So far this season, the goaltender has posted a 1.58 GAA and .935 SV% with the Ontario Reign. [Cali Sports]
- Connecticut Whale forward and American Olympian Kelli Stack shares her heartwarming story about how she ended up adopting her dog Shayba from Sochi, Russia. [Today’s Slapshot]
- The Chicago Blackhawks have released some creative hockey themed Valentine’s Day cards! [Twitter]
